Multilingual Virtual Tour

Dream: The Egyptian Museum in Turin envisioned bringing its rich collection to a global audience, transcending the barriers of physical and geographical limitations. Inspired by a collaborative project with the Politecnico di Torino in 2019, the museum sought to create an immersive virtual experience that would allow enthusiasts and scholars alike to explore its treasures, particularly during the challenges posed by the pandemic.

Idea: The concept revolved around developing a virtual tour that could replicate the museum experience online, focusing on the museum's flagship collections: the Tomb of Kha and Merit, and Dar al-Medina. Utilizing the expertise of the museum's official photographers and 3D software, the team aimed to craft a detailed and engaging digital representation of these exhibition rooms.

Realization: Through the collaborative efforts of photographers and museum curators, the Virtual Tour came to life, featuring interactive content, videos, and detailed views of individual exhibits. Available in multiple languages, including English, Italian, French, German, and Arabic, the tour was designed to be accessible and educational for a diverse international audience.

Challenges and solutions: Operating within a tight budget, the project leveraged the museum's existing resources, including the multilingual skills of its staff, to provide translations. The team navigated financial constraints by creatively utilizing personnel expertise and repurposing content from other projects, thereby enhancing the tour's richness without significant additional costs.

Innovation: This Virtual Tour represents a significant advancement in museum accessibility, offering a unique way to experience the museum's collections from anywhere in the world. The project's innovative use of 3D technology and digital storytelling sets a new standard for how museums can engage with their audiences digitally.

Effect: Launched with a virtual presentation and a social media campaign, the Virtual Tour has been a testament to the museum's adaptability and commitment to outreach. It has successfully broadened the museum's audience, enabling virtual visitors to explore its collections during lockdowns and beyond.

Target audience: Initially aimed at those unable to visit due to pandemic restrictions, the Virtual Tour now serves a wider audience, including international visitors, individuals with mobility or accessibility issues, and those unable to travel to Turin.

Sustainability: The Virtual Tour exemplifies how digital initiatives can extend the reach and lifespan of museum collections. It's a model of sustainability, offering educational value to diverse audiences while reusing and linking to existing materials. The project's adaptability to various contexts underscores its potential for replication in other institutions.

Digital tools: The project's realization was facilitated by the museum's professional photographers and their proficiency in 3D imaging and animation software. The involvement of cinema and media engineering students from the Politecnico di Torino also highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in creating digital cultural experiences.

Funding: With a modest budget of approximately €5000, the project was entirely funded by the Museo Egizio, demonstrating that impactful digital projects can be achieved with limited financial resources.

Plans: Thank to the success of the Virtual Tour, the Museo Egizio continues to expand its digital offerings. Currently, the museum is developing a child-friendly version of the tour and collaborating on a videogame that connects ancient artifacts with contemporary objects, further enhancing its digital engagement strategies and educational impact.

Responsible institution: Museo Egizio
https://www.tiktok.com/@uffizigalleries?_t=8fFkAWEzmKG&_r=1
Contact person on good practice: Virginia Cimino, Project manager, communication and marketing office, info@museoegizio.it